And after doing some research, and with Tracy always wanting to live in Wales, the family, who had been living in Kent, decided to make the purchase - now owning the home of 300 animals including lions, snakes and even a jaguar.

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Other animals now in their collection include meerkats, lemurs and tarantulas.

This is Rajah, the African Leopard (Image: Ledauphine)

A Patas monkey (Image: Ledauphine)

Nilly, the Eurasian Lynx (Image: Ledauphine)

Tracy said: “We had 40 animals before we moved. We used to breed tortoises and had chickens, rabbits, chinchillas, everything.

“We had to do a lot of research. When we went over we spent a lot of time learning from the previous owners.”

The family also received some inspiration from Benjamin Mee. The journalist took over a failing zoo in Dartmouth in 2006, rescuing it with his two children while coping with the devastating loss of his wife Katherine. Benjamin’s story inspired 2011 Hollywood film ‘We Bought a Zoo’ starring Matt Damon.

It's all reminiscent of the movie, We Bought A Zoo (Image: Publicity Picture)

(Image: Handout)

Tracy said: “I had never heard of [the film] until we told people what we were doing.

“It is similar, we didn’t have much of an idea what we were doing but everything I don’t know I research.”

The Tweedy family are now in the process of updating the site. With monthly running costs of £10,000 to cover food and staff wages, the job will take a number of years.

Sarah, 9 with pony Summer

Speaking about the decision to move, Tracey added: “[The girls] were very hesitant at first because it’s a big move and they were worried about their friends but now they have realised it’s good fun so they are all on board.

“They all muck in, the girls are always running around helping the keepers - they like to be in the mix of everything.

“I have friends that want to move up here, they want to be a part of it.”

Gary, a Spectacled Caiman, when he was newly hatched. He is now grown up (Image: Ledauphine)

A Green Iguana (Image: Ledauphine)

Chip, the Squirrel monkey (Image: Ledauphine)

In future, Tracy hopes to use the zoo to hold therapy sessions for vulnerable people after training as a psychotherapist.

The 47-year-old said: “It’s about vulnerable groups and individual people working with the animals and spending time with them.

“That in itself is very therapeutic with the calming effect of the animals, it builds confidence.

“That way it can be a sanctuary for people and animals.”

William, 16, who is visiting the zoo in his summer holiday

And after dreaming of settling down in Wales, the family want to involve the community in Borth in their new venture.

Tracy said: “I’ve always loved Wales since I was a child and holidayed here. I fell in love with it years and years ago so it all fell in place.

“It’s a very small village so it’s important to get their support. I want to do a lot of community projects - it’s their zoo.”